U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 1 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.9 million head on December 1, 2014. The inventory was 1 percent above December 1, 2013.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.79 million, 4 percent below 2013. Net placements were 1.72 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000, 600-699 pounds were 440,000, 700-799 pounds were 362,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 440,000. For the month of November, placements are the second lowest since the series began in 1996.

Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.48 million, 11 percent below 2013. November marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996.